Scheduled 'Music Bank in Madrid' at Home Stadium
All Performances Canceled Due to Noise Issues Until March Next Year
Unilateral Notice Without Prior Consultation with KBS
The KBS 'Music Bank' overseas concert, which was scheduled to be held next month at the home stadium of the Spanish football club Real Madrid, has been abruptly canceled by the club, sparking controversy. The 'Music Bank' production team stated that Real Madrid unilaterally announced the cancellation of the concert through local media without prior consultation and is demanding an official explanation and apology.
On the 20th, the KBS 'Music Bank' production team released a statement expressing "deep regret over Real Madrid's unilateral decision to cancel the concert" and said, "We cannot accept the club's arbitrary decision made unfairly without prior consultation." 'Music Bank' was scheduled to hold the concert 'Music Bank in Madrid' on the 12th of next month at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, Real Madrid's home ground in Madrid, Spain.
Bernabeu Stadium, Madrid, Spain [Photo by Getty Images/Multibitz]
The concert was set to feature eight groups including ENHYPEN, aespa, BOYNEXTDOOR, RIIZE, NMIXX, and KISS OF LIFE, with over 33,000 fans from 87 countries having already purchased tickets.
The issue began on the 13th when Real Madrid announced through local Spanish media that "due to ongoing noise complaints from nearby residents, all music performances scheduled at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium until March next year will be canceled."
The 'Music Bank' production team claimed, "Until this article was published through local media, Real Madrid had not made any official requests or prior discussions with the organizers regarding the cancellation of the concert," adding, "Even six days after the initial announcement, there has been no official explanation or apology. This is a very shocking and incomprehensible incident." They also stated, "The disappointment and frustration of fans who purchased tickets have reached a peak."
The production team expressed deep regret to Real Madrid and the Bernabeu management, requesting, "We ask for an official explanation and apology to the tens of thousands of K-pop fans who are greatly disappointed by the cancellation decision, as well as to the K-pop artists who gave up all other schedules to meet fans in Spain by performing at the Bernabeu."
They further demanded, "We require that the moral and financial responsibilities for the losses suffered by K-pop fans and artists who invested considerable time and money to attend the Bernabeu concert be fulfilled," and added, "The club must also take responsibility for damaging the brand image of the 'Music Bank World Tour,' which has been built over the past 15 years through the love and efforts of K-pop fans worldwide."
Following the announcement of the concert cancellation, K-pop fans worldwide have been demanding the resumption of the concert through social media and online petition sites. On the world's largest online petition site, Change.org, a petition titled "Please allow the 2024 Music Bank Bernabeu concert to be held again" has gathered over 13,000 signatures as of this date.
Finally, the 'Music Bank' production team strongly urged Real Madrid to work together to resume the concert, stating, "The production team has the capability and willingness to do everything possible to avoid disappointing K-pop fans waiting for the Bernabeu concert, including adjusting (or shortening) the concert time and minimizing surrounding noise. We are willing to negotiate with the Madrid administrative authorities and the Bernabeu stadium management on any requests and will work with the local organizers and tens of thousands of K-pop fans to devise measures to prevent complaints from residents around the venue."
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